And here is the final post for this multi-chapter update. I gotta admit, I'm proud of myself for this one.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Tangled; I only own this story idea.
The cart door slammed shut and locked as Rapunzel looked on in horror.
Eugene moved forward to intervene but stopped short when one of the thugs brandished a sword in his face. He jumped back slightly, holding up his hands in surprise.
"Don't be a hero, pretty boy," Otter said mockingly as Pocket smirked beside him.
"How about me, then?" Blasts of silvery-blue light shot out of nowhere, knocking Otter and Pocket into the wall. The sound of boots walking on marble rang through the stunned silence as a well-known figure stepped into the light.
He was shorter than his wanted poster made him out to be, but the Moonlight Phantom's presence more than made up for it. He wore a cobalt blue long-sleeve shirt and a black belt around his waist with a moon-shaped buckle. His pants were midnight blue, and he had tall black boots and matching gloves. Contrasting the dark outfit was the white hooded cape that covered his head and mouth.
"I've gotten pretty good at playing that role." His blue eyes flashed under his hood.
"Phantom," Lady Caine greeted with an annoyed look. "My favorite friend."
"The feeling's mutual, Caine," Phantom responded, equally unamused.
"Why are you here? You hate the king almost as much as I do."
"My problem with the king is between the two of us. The rest of those people you have in the cart are innocent. They're not involved in this."
"Maybe not, but people will pay a fortune to get them back." The roguess responded, smiling coldly.
"And revenge for you is just the icing on the cake." Phantom deduced, eyes narrowing.
"That's right," Lady Caine responded before backing up towards the cart. "And unless you want these people coming back in pieces, I suggest you stand down, Phantom."
The Moonlight Phantom was silent as he stared down the intruder before speaking again. "Princess…"
Rapunzel was startled when Phantom glanced at her. "Now would be a good time to let down your hair."
The signal was clear. She had to use her hair.
Eugene looked at the princess, surprised when she nodded at the newcomer's request. He then glanced at Cass, who looked back at Rapunzel. Rapunzel took a deep breath, knowing what needed to be done. She just hoped her father wouldn't be angry…
"Sorry, Dad…" She said, reaching for the beads that held her braid together while kicking off her shoes. "I can't stay put."
"Rapunzel!" Frederic gasped in horror as Rapunzel's blond hair piled on the floor around her. Phantom watched with a smile in his eyes as Rapunzel stood bravely between the thrones, stepping forward as everyone stared.
Eugene smirked proudly. "That's my girl."
"Let. Them. Go!" Rapunzel demanded, walking past her shocked mother… who then smiled proudly.
"Trust me, Caine, she's the last princess you want to make angry," Phantom said.
None of the pirates looked weary, though the ones closest to Moonlight shifted away. They had enough run-ins with him before to know he meant business. Lady Caine, however, just laughed at them.
"Nice wig, Princess," She climbed onto the cart, riding on the outside. "Come on! Let's move out!"
She waved for them to pull out as the cart started moving, but Rapunzel picked up her hair and swung it forward while circling another section around a column for leverage. When it latched around the door's handle, the princess gave her locks a swift tug and broke the door clear off its hinges, forcing them to stop.
Phantom took a minute to whistle, impressed, before jumping in himself. He held out his left hand, his eyes turning solid blue before two black rocks burst on either side of the door frame, forming an 'X' to keep the pirates from leaving.
Quirin's eyes widened when he saw the black rocks. He looked at Moonlight Phantom as he lowered his hand, narrowed eyes returning to normal.
With their cart stuck, Lady Caine growled as she jumped onto the floor. "Now, you're just making me angry."
"Good," Rapunzel said defiantly, preparing her hair for another strike. "'Cause I'm just getting started."
"Everyone! Out of the cart!" Phantom waved the adults forward.
The captured nobles obeyed, seeing that the vigilante wouldn't hurt them. Quirin led the way while Frederic helped some of the ladies.
"Get those people back here, now!" Lady Caine demanded, her minions running forward.
"Rapunzel! I thought that was a wig?!" Frederic cried in disbelief as his daughter ran up to him.
"I know," Rapunzel said as she gently pushed Dame Van Hoskins along. "We'll talk about it later. Please, get somewhere safe and take care of Mom!"
"Rapunzel!" King Fredric yelled as she ran off to fight.
"That's my cue," Eugene scooped up a sword one of the thugs had dropped.
"Well, my last day on princess duty," Cass pulled off her headdress and grabbed a tall candle stick. "Might as well go down fighting."
Moonlight saw Quirin pick up another discarded sword before they charged into battle.
Four thugs cornered some nobles, the one with the skull mask spinning an ax threateningly. Suddenly, a golden rope snatched the weapon out of his hand, making him turn to see the Princess glaring at him.
"Leave them alone!" She gritted her teeth. As the nobles escaped, the pirate charged at her, only for her to side-step and lasso him with her hair. After dropping him on the floor, Rapunzel saw Phantom deal with another thug similarly, using a rope made of moonlight.
"Nice!" She praised.
Phantom smiled under his mask before they moved on to other opponents. Frederic moved to stop his daughter when Arianna placed a hand on his shoulder, silently telling him to let her fight.
"So, you sure you can handle yourself?" Eugene asked Cass when they were back to back.
"Oh, I'll manage." She smirked before spinning her makeshift weapon around, knocking a criminal off his feet. She caught another thug's arm and tossed him to the floor. Eugene was also holding his own as he ducked under a sword strike and dodged a club by jumping onto a planter.
Lady Caine growled as she saw her gang losing before joining the fight herself.
Meanwhile, Phantom heard the real guards pounding on the door as they tried to open it. While he knew he should knock the halberd out of the way, he didn't want to be wrongfully attacked. Besides, they had all they needed in here…
Eugene kicked one thug behind him before jumping onto another's back. The former thief then casually walked down the pirate's back like a staircase to get off the planter.
"Heads up!" He ducked when two more thugs flew over his head, courtesy of Cassandra. The handmaiden smirked as she twirled her candle stick like a bo staff.
Rapunzel smiled at them before seeing two other guests in trouble. Noticing a banister above them, she was about to lasso it when…
"Allow me," Phantom appeared next to her before running forward. Summoning a bow and two arrows made of moonlight, he readied them at the ceiling and fired. Hitting their mark, the roof broke apart, with pieces landing on the two thugs' heads, knocking them out. Rapunzel smiled gratefully before moving on to keep fighting.
Meanwhile, Lady Caine casually approached Cass, who readied her 'weapon.'
"Aw, cute," The pirate mocked before attacking. Cassandra dodged and backed away until the woman kicked her feet out from under her, knocking her down. The warrior handmaiden looked up at the pirate as she tossed her weapon aside before gritting her teeth, taking up her 'weapon' again. Lady Caine smirked before pulling out two war fans, spinning around threateningly as they battled again.
Rapunzel ran over when she saw another guest in trouble. Thinking fast, she used her hair to grab a post to get a lift. Off the ground, she ran along the wall, swinging around to kick the thugs away as the general looked up in shock. The pirates fell into the flowers as Rapunzel landed on the floor. As she started to walk away, she was suddenly pulled back by her hair. The skull mask thug yanked on it, trying to pull her closer to him.
"Rapunzel!" Frederic murmured in worry.
Suddenly, there was a roar that startled both Rapunzel and the pirate. The latter was tackled by a large black wolf, causing Rapunzel to stumble slightly as her hair was released. They rolled around on the floor once before the wolf sprang up, growling menacingly at the thug as he scrambled away.
The distraction was enough time for Rapunzel to use her hair to snatch a frying pan she saw on the cart, letting it fly into her hands. She turned to the wolf only to see it change into Phantom in a single fluid motion.
"Whoa," Rapunzel chuckled at Moonlight in shock. "What else can you do?"
"We'll discuss that later," Phantom looked at her, a smirk in his eyes. Or never if her father had his way.
Meanwhile, Eugene was sword-fighting with a larger thug when his sword was knocked out of his hand. He glanced at his opponent as he approached, knowing he was in trouble. Prepared to fight with his fists, Rapunzel suddenly swung past Eugene, placing her frying pan in his hand.
"Thanks, Blondie!" He chirped before he started to fight back. Eugene blocked every attack with the pan until he found himself surrounded on three sides. Glancing around, he tossed the frying pan like a boomerang, knocking them all out in one throw before he kicked the utensil back into his hand.
"Ha ha! Now, this feels good!" He laughed gleefully.
Having a minute with no enemies, Phantom looked around and saw Quirin dealing with a few more thugs. These were the more persistent ones and were giving the village head trouble. Summoning more moon rope, Phantom flicked it like a whip. It wrapped around one thug before he slammed him into another. He then watched Quirin take down a third with a solid punch.
Cass was still battling it out with Lady Caine, blocking her fans with her candlestick. She was able to catch one in the capital before tossing it away. Glaring, Lady Caine rushed forward with a battle cry, using her remaining fan like a sword. While she had agility, Cass could still block her strikes before finally knocking Caine to the ground, losing her remaining fan. Unarmed but still willing to fight, Lady Caine made a desperate lunge at Cassandra. The handmaiden fell back and threw her off, causing the pirate to tumble across the floor. When Caine tried to reach for her dagger, Cass trapped her arm with the candlestick.
"Stay down!" She barked, panting from the fight. Rapunzel jumped down from the rafters, glaring at the red-haired woman.
"You have no idea who you're dealing with." Lady Caine spat at her.
"Believe me, I've dealt with much worse," Rapunzel retorted.
"Stand down, Caine," Phantom said, eyes narrowed as he moved closer. "You and I both know you've lost."
Lady Caine glared at them, slipping her arm free. She backflipped away from them as Eugene ran over to the group.
"You think this is over? Ha!" Lady Caine scoffed angrily. "I promise you, I'll be back!"
"Uh oh," Phantom said ominously when she pulled the halberd out of the door.
A loud neigh was her only warning before the guards and Max rammed down the door, crushing her underneath with a pained groan. Max looked around with Pascal, expecting a fight, not realizing it was over.
"Oh," Eugene tsked. "Lady Caine, it's impolite to leave in the middle of a party."
"You'd think you'd know that," Cass added slyly, causing the princess to laugh. None of them noticed Phantom slipping away behind them. Or the rocks in the doorframe were disappearing.
The three friends walked over to Max and Pascal as the crowd of nobles started cheering for their bravery. They stood together proudly as Lady Caine was taken away by Pete, Max whinnying next to them.
"Great job, guys!" Varian praised, walking up to them.
"Thanks, Varian!" Rapunzel beamed, hugging the younger teen. She then pulled back, looking concerned. "Are you okay? You weren't hurt, were you?"
"No, I'm fine," Varian assured her, sighing dejectedly. "I'm sorry. I don't know how to fight, so all I could do was hide."
"Hey, don't worry about it, kid," Eugene waved off. "Sometimes, hiding's the best option ya got."
"Speaking of fighting," Cass spoke up, looking around. "Where's Phantom?"
Looking around as well, the group realized their masked avenger was gone.
"Yeah, where did he go?" Rapunzel asked, confused.
"He does that a lot from what I hear," Varian shrugged. "Vanishing into thin air once the fight's over."
"Well, he had his choice of exits," Eugene added. "Given the side doors are both open, and there's a hole in the roof."
Rapunzel looked up at the windows. "I hope we meet again…."
Varian smirked slightly before saying cryptically. "I have a feeling you will."
Pascal looked at the younger teen curiously. The lizard often saw the things Rapunzel missed, and he saw that smirk. Plus, something in the kid's words didn't sound right, like he knew something they didn't.
Caine and the rest of the pirates were handcuffed together as the guards led them away. Given the mess they caused, the nobles decided they had enough excitement for one day and took their leave.
"Nice to see ya! Thanks for coming!" Eugene called out as they left. "Nice suit, buddy! Happy Coronation Day, folks!"
Varian ran over to his father and clung to him in a hug that the older man wholly returned.
"It's okay, Son," Quirin assured him when Varian shook slightly. "I'm alright. I'm not going anywhere."
Varian rubbed his tears away when he pulled back, smiling at his dad.
"Quirin." Frederic walked over to him. "I'm sorry about… all of this."
"It's fine," Quirin assured him.
"I had fun!" Varian grinned. "The sudden attack was terrifying, but spending the day with Rapunzel was fun!"
Frederic smiled a bit, then looked over at Rapunzel with a sigh. "I… have to talk to my daughter."
"We'll see ourselves out," Quirin said, placing a hand on Varian's shoulder. "Let's go, Son."
Varian nodded, and they headed out together. As they left, the alchemist looked over his shoulder, watching Queen Arianna run to her daughter, throwing her arms around her. His smile faltered as he thought of his own mother before he looked ahead as they stepped out into the sunlight.
(Later)
That night, when everyone in town was asleep, Varian wore casual clothes and sat on the wall watching the night sky.
"Something's changed…." He said softly, "I can feel it."
He stood up and looked at the moon high above. "I feel… stronger."
He felt the wind blow through him before turning to the castle, his hair and eyes glowing as the wind blew through him.
"I need to see her."
Removing his gloves, Varian focused, willing miniature versions of the rocks to cover him until the Moonlight Phantom stood in his place. He wasn't sure where his dad was, but Varian put a dummy in his bed in case he decided to go out. Stepping off the wall, a translucent platform of moonlight formed beneath his foot. He started running through the air, platforms appearing as he returned to the castle.
Back at the castle, Rapunzel was having a lousy night as she sat by the window. Against her better judgment, she told her father what had happened, leaving out the parts about Cass and Varian. She tried to get him to see she was fine and get answers about the rocks, but her father wouldn't hear it. He confined her to Corona under martial law, forbidding her from talking about the rocks. Any potential freedom she could've had was gone.
Rapunzel was painting a picture of her father in her new journal with writing along the margin of the image. She sighed a little, looking at Pascal on her shoulder. There was a knock on the door, grabbing their attention.
"Come in." She said, closing her journal.
Eugene opened the door, a towel draped over his arm like a server as he held up a plate with a cupcake.
"I believe somebody ordered… room service." He smiled knowingly.
"Eugene," She smiled softly at him as Pascal hopped down to give them privacy. "How did you know?"
"Eh, I had a feeling," He said before dropping his smile, glancing away awkwardly. "Look, I just wanted to clear some stuff up."
He walked over and sat beside her, handing her the plate before she set it aside. "I haven't had a chance to apologize for putting you on the spot with that proposal."
"Well, looking back, storming out of the room probably wasn't the best reaction." She gripped the sides of her neck with a weak smile before taking a small breath. "So, I'm… I'm sorry."
"No, no, don't apologize," Eugene said, holding up his hands. "Look, I'll admit, I don't quite understand why you said no…"
When he saw her guilty look, he reached out and placed his hand on top of hers. "But I promise to do everything I can until I do."
He gave her a gentle smile, and she returned as she took both of his hands in hers. "Thanks, Eugene."
"And, in the meantime, we'll stay right here and take things slowly." He reached out to cup her hair. "I missed this."
She smiled at him before making a pleading expression. "Hey, promise me one thing?"
"Anything."
"That you'll be patient with me."
He cupped her cheek. "Absolutely."
They both leaned in and gently kissed before holding her hands in his. "Good night, Rapunzel."
"Goodnight, Eugene."
Eugene then got up, smiling at her one last time before heading for the door. She watched him go before turning back to the window as he closed the door.
"Back to life after happily ever after," She sang glumly, opening her window. "Stuck inside once again, and I'm gazing out."
She looked out at the sky, frowning a little. How did a trip to a monument surrounded by strange rocks lead to this?
"True, I'm in here with those I hold dear," She continued, turning to her mural. "Surrounded by their love. And for some, that's more than enough, no doubt."
She closed her eyes as a soft breeze shifted some of her locks around.
"Princess?" Startled, Rapunzel opened her eyes and turned to see the Moonlight Phantom standing on her balcony.
"Phantom." She chuckled in surprise before frowning in confusion. "Who are you?"
He shook his head lightly. "I can't tell you, Your Highness. It's not safe for my identity to be known. I think your father has proven why that is."
Oh, she got it. Phantom had a connection to the rocks.
"Do you know what those rocks are?"
Phantom sighed, looking down at his boots before meeting her eyes. "I was hoping you could tell me."
"What do you mean?" Rapunzel asked, more confused than before.
"When I first started learning about my powers, my research led me to the Sundrop Flower and your story. I don't know what spoke to me, but something told me it was important and maybe even held the answer. Now, I don't work with gut instinct. I believe in logic and facts, but," He explained, placing his hand over his heart. "The feeling was so strong that I couldn't just dismiss it. So, when you returned and after what happened at the monument the other night, I thought maybe you could tell me something."
"Wait," Rapunzel spoke up. "How do you know about that?"
"Part of my powers. I see what the moon sees."
"Wow," Rapunzel breathed, amazed, before looking downcast. "I wish I could do that."
Phantom smiled, sitting on the ground in front of her. "Princess, from what I saw today, I think you have all you need."
Rapunzel smiled in return before speaking again. "I'm sorry, Phantom. I'm just as lost about everything as you are."
"No, don't apologize," Moonlight assured her. "It was honestly a long shot, but I had to try. I do have a theory, though…"
"What?"
"I think whatever gave me my powers… it sent those rocks to the monument… And we both have a connection to them. Whatever this is, we're both involved in some way."
Rapunzel's eyes widened, realizing he was right. His theory made a lot of sense.
"So… what do we do now?" She asked, looking at her hands.
"There's honestly not much we can do. We don't have enough information to make a good plan. All we can do for now is wait and see what the future brings."
Rapunzel looked at Phantom, hearing the same reluctance in his voice that she was feeling. She gently placed her hand on his, prompting him to look at her. They held each other's gazes for a time, an unspoken conversation passing between them. The princess smiled at him and saw the smile returned in his eyes.
"Do you wanna come in?" She asked. "I asked Cass to let me dress myself tonight."
"Thank you, Your Highness, but I should actually be going," Phantom declined, looking at the moon. He didn't want his father to realize he was gone.
"Okay," Rapunzel nodded before realizing something. "Wait a second, how did you even get up here?"
Phantom smirked beneath his mask as he got his feet. "You'll see. Until our paths cross again."
"I hope it's soon," Rapunzel replied.
"And Princess," He added, looking at her with kind eyes. "I seem to recall the last time someone tried to confine you, you got out anyway. Regardless of what comes next, remember you're not alone in this, and I am never too far away."
The princess gasped softly as Phantom suddenly turned and ran toward the railing. Jumping off, lights appeared beneath his feet, and he began running on air. Soon, he was soaring over the city, his cloak and lights the only thing to tell her where he was in the darkness.
The wind picked up, causing the blank pages of her journal to flutter, catching her attention. Rapunzel watched the pages open to her mother's "Plus est en vous" message. She smiled when he remembered what it meant. She didn't know why her hair had grown back yet, but she knew she wouldn't let it trap her again!
"But I've got the wind in my hair and a fire within 'cause there's something beginning!" Rapunzel stepped out onto her balcony, twirling around a little as the wind blew through her golden hair. "I got a mystery to solve and excitement to spare! That beautiful breeze blowin' through. I'm ready to follow it, who knows where. And I'll get there, I swear…."
"With the wind in my hair!~" She threw her hands out to the sides as she belted out the last words, nightbirds taking flight as her hair flowed from the tower like a flag.
This wasn't the end. This was a whole new beginning.
(Meanwhile)
Quirin sighed as he got across the gap where the bridge once stood. He walked on past the black rocks that now peppered the landscape.
"Oh, Princess, what did you do?" He murmured.
He reached the monument and walked up to it, seeing it cracked and covered in black rocks. He took off his glove, looking at his mark grimly.
"That boy back there…." He sighed, looking at his reflection in the rocks grimly. "Please, let me be wrong."
(In Old Corona)
When he got home, Varian was relieved that his father wasn't back yet as he crawled through his tower window. Putting the dummy away and dropping his disguise, Varian changed into his pajamas before going downstairs to get some water. As he finished preparing his glass, his father entered the front door.
"Hey, Dad," He greeted him. "Everything okay?"
"Yes, yes," Quirin nodded, smiling tiredly. "Everything's fine."
"Okay, I was just about to go to bed," Varian explained, hugging his father before heading up the stairs. "Good night, Dad. I love you."
"Good night, Son." Quirin smiled after his son.
Once Varian got to his room, he set his glass on his nightstand and looked out the window. So much was on his mind. He didn't feel like he could sleep. He was sure now that he had gotten stronger since sneaking out to the monument. He should've been more tired than he felt, yet he still had energy to spare, especially when he summoned a rock at the coronation. It felt… different this time. In the past, he described the sensation of summoning one as pushing through water, like swimming in the ocean. Today, it felt more like wading through the river. He was going to have to experiment with this ability more.
Downstairs, Quirin was locking up the house with a haunted expression, lost in his thoughts. The rocks had spread out from the monument. They were all over that area.
He sighed, looking up the stairs where Varian was. "It's too soon."
The princess must have snuck out the night before her coronation. That was the only way her hair could've become long again. No doubt the king wasn't handling this well. Knowing him like Quirin did, he was probably trying not to have a panic attack.
Quirin sighed and went to go to his room. After this weekend, he needed sleep, especially since he had to return to work the next day.
He headed off to bed, actually making it to his room this time. He paused by a portrait of him, his wife, and Varian and sighed.
"How long can I protect you? Should I let you go, even though it's too soon?" He shook his head. "No. I can't. I could lose you if I did…."
(Elsewhere)
Beyond the walls, a figure pushed through the foliage until they found what they were looking for: The Sundrop Monument.
Edit: Okay, this is the updated chapter six. Before Ever After is done, and now we move on to season one.
Anyway, this is the last update for the moment. I'm going to move on and post the first part of a short story I have been working on for a while.
And with that, I'll see you all soon.